Making a Facemask at Home

BY PHIL EGGINTON

The Portuguese Directorate-General for Health (DGS) has recommended the use of “social” facemasks in certain circumstances. We look at an example of how to make these at home.

The DGS recommends that non-surgical or “social” facemasks are used in closed indoor spaces with a high number of people. Examples being supermarkets, pharmacies, shops, commercial establishments and public transport. The DGS emphasises that these are an additional and supplementary measure to social distancing and hand washing.

There are three types of masks: FFP respirators for health professionals, surgical masks that prevent the spread of infections and these non-surgical social facemasks. According to the DGS, surgical masks should be worn by people with symptoms of COVID-19 and by the most vulnerable, as well as other professionals from more exposed groups such as firefighters, police and funeral service workers.

So how do you make a social facemask at home? During my time at home, my wife has started doing several things that she always wanted to do. I saw her one day sewing and I know in the past she made lots of clothes. “Are you taking up making clothes again?” I said. “Nope, I’m making some facemasks for us!” I should say at this point that my wife was an intensive care senior nurse. So, I knew she had some relevant experience. “I hope you’re making them in the best Blue Peter fashion, from a pair of old knickers!”, I joked. “Well actually, I’m using some old t-shirts, but yes, you could use some old cotton knickers!” she replied. In addition to cotton, which needs to be pure or 100% cotton, you will need some pipe cleaners (not essential) and some elastic or even just ribbon.

They are actually very simple to make, using hand-sewing, not even a machine. Here are some simple instructions.

1

Cut your t-shirt into two pieces. Cut off all the seams, inc. sleeves. Then iron to remove creases.

2

Cut out templates in card, measuring 180mm x 150mm.

If using a large t-shirt, you will be able to get 3 masks out of the material, the smaller the piece of material, the fewer masks.

3

Fold the material in half and position the templates along the folded edge. Pin in place.

4

Cut each mask ensuring you do NOT cut along the fold. Depending on the size of material you should end up with up to 3 pieces.

5

Take your pipe cleaner and cut to length, this should be approx 20mm short of the ends of the material.

6

Tack along the fold about 10mm from the edge. Check the size of your pipe cleaner and adjust accordingly as it needs to be able to freely move within this seam. If you have no pipe cleaner then use cotton tape or folded cotton to reinforce the edge.

7

Turn the material over so that the ‘right’ sides are now together. Tack along the bottom edge about 10mm from the edge.

Make a second tack line 10-20mm from the original tack line. You need to be able to pass a small safety pin (with the elastic/ribbon attached) along this seam so adjust according to the size of a safety pin and thickness of elastic/ribbon.

Sew these seams, either by hand or machine.

8

Turn the material the right way out and thread the pipe cleaner along the folded edge seam.

Pass the elastic/ribbon (a piece approx 500mm in length will do - you may need a little more for larger faces) through the bottom seam.

Make sure that there are equal amounts on either side of the material and knot each end securely. The elastic/ribbon will be able to move freely at this stage.

9

Once the pipe cleaner is in place, secure either side with a few stitches.

10

The next bit is a bit fiddly. Fold under the side seams and tack. The end of the elastic with the knot needs to be tucked into this seam and when the edge is sown, the elastic must not pull out.

A simple over-lap stitch along the edge is the neatest. The elastic at the bottom should move freely still. This helps to adjust the face mask when on.

Having neatly sewn the side seams you should have a mask beginning to look like a mask.

11

Get the ironing board out and iron a tuck facing downwards as shown in photo.

12

Iron 2 more folds across the mask. Hand stitch the folds at the side to hold them in place.

You will see that your hand made mask is now very close to an original medical mask.

13

When placed over the mouth and nose, the pipe cleaner allows you to press the top edge to follow the contours of your nose. Place the elastic over your ears and pull the bottom edge down to cover your chin.

Phil Egginton is a journalist and photographer and now lives in the Algarve.

+ INFO:

www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/covid-19-dgsendorses-wearing-of-masks-by-all-people-in-closedspaces

www.covid19.min-saude.pt/